firebug

Gave it a test run in the tub, needs just a little more bouyance on the front, but it floated somewhat butt down head up. Kinda like a mouse would.

I think I need some more material to lift the "forehead" and make the ears more upturned

I have tried spinning deer hair into mice with ho-hum results and wanted a quicker way to make a mouse. Thoughts?

Thought I'd take a couple of hours and kill some time at a small pond down the road. Got this brute on the eighth cast. He just kinda sucked up the fly and kept swimming. Pretty good fight on a fly rod. The fly is an experimental one I tied from a little of this and little of that and is probably the worst looking one in the box. I was trying to get an idea on how it would throw and swim. Guess I keep it. :yahoo:

Thought I'd take a couple of hours and kill some time at a small pond down the road. Got this brute on the eighth cast. He just kinda sucked up the fly and kept swimming. Pretty good fight on a fly rod. The fly is an experimental one I tied from a little of this and little of that and is probably the worst looking one in the box. I was trying to get an idae on how it would throw and swim. Guess I keep it.

I have bought from ebay and have been very happy. Just check the seller profile as you would with any item from Ebay. If a pile of 50 of something is to big for you just get a group of fellow tyers and have a materials swap. I also hit up the local taxidemist, they usually have feathers that fall out out various pelts. They are a good source for hair since they trim excess hides from mounts. I have found that a couple of flies or a case of their favorite beverage will keep me in all the natural hair I need.

The second one came from the current issue of Fly Tyer. It is a cicada pattern

Started tying last Sept. Thought I get some opinions. Started with a starter kit and now am knee deep in stuff.

Was trying last night and use 8/0 for the first time. I had a hard time with it breaking, ussually after wrapping and a slight tug. or after spinning some dubbing.

Just started trying a week or so ago from a kit. I have been trying to use the deer hair that was in it. It breaks, it bends, it is generally being a pain. :wallbash: What is the secret? Is it because the kit proably did not use the best stuff? Old, dry, deer was on the ark? ect. I have some deer hair coming from Ebay maybe that will be better.

My first flies, wooly worm and nymph. Just a starter kit attempt. As a newbie I have tons of questions. Difference in fly thread and regular sewing tread? Chenille and yarn from craft stores and fly shop, are they the same? Am running out of material and need to restock. Need some ideas of flies for smallmouth.